ESTEEM Graduate Program Capstone (June 2025-May 2026)
| Program Overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Program Title | ESTEEM Graduate Program Capstone (June 2025-May 2026) | |
| Organization | University of Notre Dame | |
| Student Application Link | https://nd.capsource.app/program/esteem-graduate-program-capstone-june-2025-may-2026/rfp | |
| # of Students Enrolled |
0
|
|
| # of Projects Running |
4 Project/s Added (of 50 Projects Expected)
|
|
|
Program Timeline Project Duration |
Start Date: 06/18/25 End Date: 05/08/26 11 months |
|
| Collaboration Overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| About Students |
Students in the Engineering, Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship Excellence Master's Program (ESTEEM) at the University of Notre Dame, the #14th highest ranked graduate entrepreneurship program (2025) according to the Princeton Review, are part of an intensive eleven month long Master of Science program. They possess strong technical backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and are dedicated to bridging the gap between technical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen. These students are trained to translate innovative technologies into viable business ventures, equipping them with the skills to become entrepreneurs, innovators within established companies, and leaders of dynamic, innovative teams.
Student Level: Graduate Degree Student Time Commitment: Full Time Team Structure: 1 - 1 |
|
| Program Goals | Students participating in the ESTEEM Capstone will:
|
|
| Format Structure |
Multiple Projects Multiple Teams |
|
| Format Title | Capstone | |
| Format Description | The ESTEEM Capstone is a 10-month entrepreneurial consulting engagement in which a single graduate student works directly with your organization to tackle a real business, innovation, or commercialization challenge. Each student spends approximately 15 hours per week from June through the following May, conducting in-depth research, stakeholder interviews, and strategy development under faculty guidance. Final deliverables often include a business model, go-to-market plan, customer insights, and financial analysis—tailored to your organization’s goals.
Benefits for Participating Organizations:
|
|
| Benefits For Industry Partners | ||
| Project Modality | Fully Remote | |
| Industry Partner Requirements to Participate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Project Topics | Corporate Social Responsibility Customer Service & Account Management Data Management Digital Marketing Entrepreneurship Growth Strategy Information Technology (IT) Innovation Inventory Management Legal, Regulatory, Compliance Market Research Marketing Mergers & Acquisitions Operations Organizational Culture Product Design & Development Purchasing, Logistics, Supply Chain Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis Research & Development Sales & Business Development Software Design & Development Technology Commercialization Training & Development | |
| Target Industries | Aerospace & Defense Agriculture & Farming Arts & Recreation Biotech & Pharmaceuticals Computers & Hardware Construction, Repair & Maitenance Consumer Services Education Energy & Utilities Fashion & Apparel Finance Food & Beverage Government Health Care Insurance Manufacturing Media Natural Resources Non-Profit Professional Services Public Works Real Estate Restaurants, Bars & Food Services Retail Semiconductor Software & IT Sports & Entertainment Telecommunications Transportation & Logistics Travel & Tourism | |
| Skills & Expertise | Business Model Canvas Competitive Analysis CRM Platforms Customer Discovery Design Thinking Financial Modeling Go-To-Market Strategy Innovation Management IP Landscape Research Lean Startup Market Sizing Pitch Deck Design Pricing Strategy Product Validation Prototyping Python R&D Strategy Rapid Prototyping Regulatory Research Software Development SQL Strategic Roadmapping Survey Tools TAM SAM SOM Analysis Technical Communication Technology Scouting | |
| Location Information & Preferences |
Local (within 30 miles) Remote collaboration is standard; students are highly independent and trained in remote research, interviewing, and stakeholder engagement.
In-person interactions (e.g., site visits, conferences, customer interviews) are welcomed when available and beneficial to the project. Sponsors are expected to cover travel costs for any in-person activities, including project kickoffs, visits to company HQ, or trade shows.
|
|
| Sponsorship |
Sponsorship Requested (Mandatory):Non-Profit a contribution amount between $0.0 to $15000.0 Large Enterprise a contribution amount between $35000.0 to $50000.0 Pre-Revenue Startup a contribution amount between $0.0 to $10000.0 Growth Startup a contribution amount between $10000.0 to $15000.0 Small to Medium Business a contribution amount between $20000.0 to $30000.0 Government Organization a contribution amount between $5000.0 to $35000.0 |
|
| Compensation |
|
|
| Other Requirements |
|
|
| Expected Time Commitment For Project Managers | 1 Hour per week | |
| Key Program Dates | Due Date |
|---|---|
|
Request for Proposal published
Collaboration request published. Industry Partners may express interest in participating.
|
Feb 18 2025, 01:28.02 AM |
|
Interview
Educators will begin interviewing interested Industry Partners to discuss project ideas.
|
Feb 28 2025, 01:28.02 AM |
|
Proposal Application Deadline
Final date for Industry Partners to express interest in participating.
|
Jun 16 2025, 01:28.00 AM |
|
Finalize Project Charter
Educators and Industry Partners finalize project charters, legal documents, and background materials.
|
Jun 18 2025, 01:28.00 AM |
|
Official Program Launch
We’ll find a time on this day for you to meet with the students to kick off your project.
|
Jul 10 2025, 12:00.00 AM |
|
Official Program End
We’ll find a time on this day for you to meet with the students to wrap up your project.
|
May 08 2026, 12:00.00 AM |
Program Timeline
| Touchpoints & Assignments | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
|
Commitment from sponsor |
05/20/2025 | Project Milestone |
|
Completion of Project Description |
06/06/2025 | Event |
|
Sponsors will receive resumes of all students |
06/16/2025 | Project Milestone |
|
Interviews begin |
06/23/2025 | Project Milestone |
|
Students are matched to projects |
07/09/2025 | Project Milestone |
|
Projects Begin! |
07/14/2025 | Project Milestone |
Projects
Filters
| Project | Organization | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| AI Opportunity Landscape and Implementation Strategy for Modern Industrial Distribution | Riverhawk Industrial Supply | Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Data Management Information Technology (IT) Operations Research, Analysis, Evaluation Software Design & Development Strategic Planning Technology Commercialization |
| Validating Digital Twin Concepts for Personalized Health Prediction | Pravida Health | Data Management Growth Strategy Legal, Regulatory, Compliance Market Research Product Design & Development Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis |
| Advancing U.S. PPE Manufacturing: Strategic Business Planning for NYES PPE Division | New York Embroidery Studio | Data Management Growth Strategy Legal, Regulatory, Compliance Market Research Operations Product Design & Development Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis Strategic Planning |
Program Managers
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Neil Kane | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign |
| German Estrada | University of Notre Dame |
| Ellen Dutton | University of Notre Dame |
Teams
| Team Name | Project Name | Team Members |
|---|---|---|
| No Teams Available |